Russian T-80UD MBT 09527

T-80UD is a variant of the T-80U Main Battle Tank, fitted
with a diesel engine in place of the high performance gas turbine. The original
T-80 with a gas turbine was produced in 1976. The T-80UD with conventional
diesel engine was introduced in 1985 and entered service with the Soviet Army
in 1987. Design of the T-80UD is similar to the T-80U except the powerplant.

Development of
this MBT commenced in the mid 1970s. Production of the T-80UD commenced in
Ukraine in 1987. About 500-800 of these MBTs were built, and it was planned as
the primary MBT of the Soviet Army. However with the collapse of the Soviet
Union its production ceased in 1991. These tanks are currently in service with
Russia and Ukraine. A number of Ukrainian T-80UDs were exported to Pakistan in
the late 1990s.

Armour
protection of the T-80UD includes composite armour with built-in explosive
reactive armour blocks. The vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic
fire suppression systems.